Fort Smith School Board considers pay raises

The Fort Smith School Board discussed Monday raising salaries for school employees for the 2017-18 school year.

The average proposed salary increase to certified staff is $833.98, a 1.53 percent increase, according to a memo from Chief Financial Officer Charles Warren to Superintendent Doug Brubaker.

Salaries for certified staff, including teachers, is based off education levels and number of years experience. The proposed raises would include a $200 base increase combined with embedded increases depending on education and experience. The salary for a first-year teacher with a bachelor’s degree would increase from $37,750 to $37,950.

President Deanie Mehl said that the starting salary at Fort Smith is around $8,000 to $9,000 lower than schools in northwest Arkansas.

Warren said that although Fort Smith may not be as competitive for teachers in their first year because of lower starting salaries, Fort Smith pays more toward employee health insurance, something that makes it competitive over time.

Secretary Bill Hanesworth said it would be good for the board to see some sort of chart that shows how the numbers shape up over time.

Likewise, member Talicia Richardson spoke of retention and said that the district needs to look at the whole picture, giving the example that what may be beneficial to a single parent may not be as beneficial to a family of four who are covered by the other spouse’s insurance. Richardson went on to say that the district should look at other factors, such as short-term disability and professional development, while looking at recruitment and retention.

The board could not yet vote on the raises because the Fort Smith Classroom Teachers Association (FSCTA) must first ratify them, according to the memo from Warren.

The board voted with all in favor to recommend the purchase of property at 2201 Rogers Ave. next to Northside High School.

“This property, located due west of B Street Annex, could someday be used for school expansion,” according to a memo from Buildings and Grounds Director Dennis Siebenmorgen to Brubaker. “In cases like this, we have to make purchases in small increments as real estate becomes available. The property in question has a structure on it.”

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